Sen. Grassley: A five-year Farm Bill will be a heavy lift, and SNAP is a big part of it

The Farm Bill is still top of mind for many in agriculture. However, some lawmakers warn a five-year bill will be a heavy lift.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says SNAP is still a major player in Farm Bill talks, and says anymore pushback could put farmers in another bad spot.

“We’ll be in the same boat we were before. Instead of having a five-year farm bill or six-year or seven, we’d have an eight-year farm bill, which isn’t right for farmers. Whether SNAP is in reconciliation or whether we make those decisions in the five-year farm bill, we’re still going to have to have the reauthorization of the food stamp program.”

Before lawmakers can touch the Farm Bill, they have to iron out budget details. House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that he wants that done by Memorial Day, opening the door for Farm Bill discussions.

Related Stories
As ag lawmakers in the Senate await the House vote on the Farm Bill, they are eager to discuss the challenges farmers face before it is their turn to take up the critical legislation.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
The bill has already cleared the House Agriculture Committee and is headed toward a full House vote, but the timeline for final passage remains unclear. But the question is, when exactly? Could it possibly be a nice little gift for Easter?
National Pork Producers Council incoming president Rob Brenneman shares insights from the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, where producers gathered to discuss Farm Bill policy, sustainability, and other priorities for the year ahead.
USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce says the department stands ready to provide technical assistance with the Farm Bill if Congress requests it.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The modest cut should slightly reduce borrowing costs on operating loans, land notes, and equipment financing for agriculture, giving some relief to producers under heavy debt loads.
Sen. Roger Marshall, a founding member and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again caucus, joined us with his thoughts on the commission’s latest report and the key ag-related issues.
Produce markets are in transition as fall approaches, with leafy greens and berries under pressure, while vegetables like celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are finding firmer ground.
Grain shippers face lower freight values thanks to weak soybean exports and strong rail service, but barge traffic and forward Gulf loadings suggest continued uncertainty as harvest ramps up.
It’s been a decade since Hurricane Rita ripped through southwest Louisiana, and recovery has been a long, difficult process for many who have lived in the coastal area. Today, oyster farming offers a pearl of hope.
Katelyn joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss her upcoming episode of Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast and share her ag journey.